Craft Focus - April/May 2021 (Issue 84)

29 SHOWS & EVENTS Giving & Living 2021 goes online! The normally Exeter based Gift, Coast and Home trade show is going online! Originally due to take place in January, and then moved to May, unfortunately it cannot take place physically this year due to the staged plan to exit lockdown. “We’re disappointed not to be able to hold the show face to face.” commented Jennifer Trotman, marketing manager of Hale Events, the show’s organisers. “But, we’re delighted, that this May, we will be able to present the exhibitors and all their new product ranges to even more buyers than usual! Normally most of our show visitors are from the south west, so for us to be able to promote Giving & Living Online to buyers nationwide, gives exhibitors access to new markets, and enables buyers from all over the UK to attend and browse and meet new suppliers.” Hale Events has teamed up with PR consultant Charlotte Cowell along with technology experts Denre to deliver this new three-day online show. Giving & Living Online will take place from 10 th -12 th May, the dates on which the physical show would have taken place. The online show will be subsidised for exhibitors for this edition only, providing them with a much-needed route to market. Mike Anderson, Hale Events MD said “This year it’s new, so we’re subsidising the cost to take part. It’s important to us that this event is successful for clients; most of whom have had their trade severely restricted over the last 12 months. We are keeping the cost to a minimum, while we plan for our physical show in January 2022.” Giving & Living Online will be free to attend for buyers, who will have the opportunity to browse through a curated range of companies, discover their products, download catalogues, view videos about them, as well as set up meetings, both live text chat and video, with exhibitors. There will also be some additional content from organisations like the Giftware Association, but this event will be product focussed and strongly image led. Now that Giving & Living is online, with no-one needing to travel to exhibit or visit, the show is opened up to a far wider audience, rather than being a regional show.” Of course we can’t wait for 16th-18th January, 2022, to see everyone face to face again in Exeter, but we see this edition of the show as a complementary opportunity and reflective of not only the extraordinary period we have all been through, but also as a permanent addition to our physical events.” added Jennifer. For more information, to book space, or register to attend, please call Hale Events on +44 (0)1934 733 433 . Bringing the world of crafts together The Craft Network is a brand-new initiative which has been created to provide the UK craft industry with a joined-up and credible approach to help stimulate and sustain the growing creative craft market. Brought to you by ICHF Events and Bert & Gert’s, the Craft Network will bring the B2B world of crafts together through networking, mentoring and knowledge sharing. ICHF Events is a leading and longest standing organiser of both trade and consumer craft, hobby and lifestyle events. Bert and Gert’s are a renowned organiser of craft events and markets across the UK. Both companies are family-owned businesses with a strong community focus, the Craft Network is perfectly aligned with their company values. This collaboration provides an existing B2B network representing more than 1,000 dedicated craft companies. The Craft Network is to be run by a steering committee of industry professionals representing the creative market. Building on the collaborative approach, the team behind the Craft Network will work to stimulate creativity, build partnerships and grow the creative industry. The new membership organisation has big plans to facilitate connections, drive stimulation, increase mental and physical wellbeing and provide inspiration. This will be achieved through networking events, demonstrations, industry education and experience led content. Steve Mitchell event director, CHSI Stitches says, “Following a tough year we’re excited to launch the Craft Network and to bring the industry together in 2021. We’re putting together an experienced and diverse steering committee to drive the organisation forward, offer best practice advice and provide the best possible support to craft businesses in what is expected to be a big year.” “Businesses have had to adapt this year following the global pandemic and there has been lots of developments and learnings as a result. The Craft Network has been curated so that our members can benefit from the experience, knowledge and connections from within the craft industry and across industries” said Mark Wilkes, director of Bert & Gert’s. To discuss membership options contact Steve Mitchell on +44 (0)1425 460 811 or email contact@thecraftnetwork.org For more information, please visit www.thecraftnetwork.org